Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/88

76 turn them not away!" Love, blessing, forgiveness, what strange new doctrine was this? It never before had been so seen in Israel. No wonder that a keen observer, a studious, spiritual-minded man, like Lazarus, should feel mystified and puzzled, yet inspired by doctrines at once so pathetic and so powerful. With Mary he could talk of all these things; she had always been of a gentle, sympathetic spirit, ardent and enthusiastic in her worship and affections, deeply religious, and yet with a strain of mysticism that permitted the seemingly impossible to find a place in her too willing heart.

She, too, to Martha's dismay, had often joined the crowds that followed Jesus of Nazareth along the roadside, listening to His incomparable sermons, witnessing miracle after miracle; wonders that filled the priests with dismay and doubt, and awed the Tetrarch, yet failed to persuade the multitude that He was the living God.

Often and often she had tried to get Martha to accompany them.

"If thou wouldst but listen once to Him, Martha, thou wouldst feel all the troubles of this world removed from off thy shoulders, and perfect peace would fill thy soul. His words are like the softest music, and yet they sound deep like the waters of the sea, and they are so true, so real, thou canst not but believe them. They are indeed the words of a God, for never man spake like this Man. It is the Messiah who is here; I know it, I feel it, Martha. If thou wouldst but once accompany me and follow Him, for most times He speaketh to the multitude!"